The most permanent contribution of Orissa toour cultural heritage is Bhima Bhoi, Poet-prophet of Mahima dharma, who wielded hispen against the prevailing social injustice, religious bigotry, and caste discrimination. With his firm belief in one God, one society, one religion, he led this movement from Khaliapali Ashrama . Thegoal of his mission is " Jagata Uddhara " (liberation of entire world).The 19th century in India was a period of decadence and disintegration that warranted religious and social reform. Mahima Dharma emerged as a Yuga Dharma (religion of the age) at a time of transition ( Yugasandhi ). It appears as a Loka Dharma (religion of the mass) ,when religious discriminations regarding race, caste and class were rife. In the 19th century Orissa,when this religion developed, the society was already ridden with divisive tendencies, casteism , selfishness, savagery and coercion. In the field of religion irrationality and fetishism reigned supreme immorality andcorruption were rampant.Mahima Dharma is contemporary to the socio-religious movement like Brahmo Samaj, Prarthana Samajand Arya Samaj. Yet Mahima dharam differs very much from these reaction and movement. It rested on indigenous foundation and had nothing to do with external forces. It is exclusively Orissan . In essence it is for mankind and...Read More